Do You Donate Blood?

bemybubble on 31/08/2021 - 19:04
Last edited 07/09/2021 - 11:08 by 1 other user

Did my 15th donation the other day and Thought I’d ask if anyone else in the OzB community give blood and if so, how many donations do far?

Mod Note: Visit Australian Red Cross Lifeblood for more information.

edit

Hi All,

Truly inspired by how many OzBargainers give, or are willing to give blood.

I have created a lifeblood team for those who are interested. Always wanted to be part of a team but could never convince the office the participate (for various reasons).

If you login to your lifeblood account, simply search for the team called 'OzBargain'. Really hoping we can rally the troops on this and see how many donations we can achieve together!

Poll Options

  • 402
    Yes
  • 405
    No
Health & Beauty

Comments

  • dylanando on 31/08/2021 - 19:04
    +12

    No. Only because in my head it seems like too much hassle.

    • bemybubble on 31/08/2021 - 19:05
      +5

      Can appreciate that. I go during my lunch break normally as it’s close to work

      • capslock janitor on 02/09/2021 - 11:06
        +1

        Wow such an even poll!

        I want to; I find it kinda funny how blood donors humblebrag their numbers.

        Btw your type?

        • samyall on 02/09/2021 - 16:20
          +17

          Do they? I hardly ever bring up the fact I reached my 50th donation just recently.

      • truetypezk on 03/09/2021 - 20:50
        +1

        I go there during lunch break too, but just to have my free lunch there after donation. My local centre has a pretty decent range.

        I typically brought my toddler daughter to donations precovid so both of us get our lunch sorted out hassle-free and free:) It is also a good opportunity to talk to kids about blood donation and some basic knowledge about our blood/circulation system.

    • Quantumcat on 31/08/2021 - 19:49
      +52

      You get free milkshakes, sausage rolls, chocolate, biscuits, cheese. All for 30 minutes of your time. Totally worth it.

      • Phlume on 31/08/2021 - 20:01
        +60

        They also send you a courtesy message when your blood is being used to help someone, which is nice and always brightens my day.

        • Marshmellow20 on 24/08/2022 - 20:53

          I've donated 8 times since 2014 but have never received any message about how my blood was used. Does this mean they didn't use it? TIA

          • daanish on 25/08/2022 - 07:28
            +1

            @Marshmellow20: The message notifications are something you can contact them about/use the app to turn on and off. Might pay to check that if you want the messages.

      • orangetrain on 01/09/2021 - 08:24
        +13

        Did you donate to rich vampires? Otherwise no place I know gives any of this except for biscuits.

        • Quantumcat on 01/09/2021 - 08:25
          +2

          The mobile donor vans don't usually have much but if you go to a purpose built centre they usually have a lot more variety. I go to the Garran centre in Canberra.

          • Phlume on 01/09/2021 - 11:05
            +7

            @Quantumcat: It's the same in Sydney. All the donor centres I've been to have given me snacks and refreshments pre and post donation. They give you a freshly made milkshake and sausage roll/pie along with one of the best cookies I've had. So soft and crumbly.

        • Morphio25 on 01/09/2021 - 14:25
          +3

          My local centre does Kit Kat's, Caramello Koala's and Freddo Frogs! Used to be able to get Coke's as well but now they only do chocolate milk and water.

      • DazMon on 01/09/2021 - 10:43

        Where is it that you can get all these magical rewards?

      • kaleidoscope on 01/09/2021 - 13:07
        +8

        its more of 90-120 mins in reality though if u donate plasma. (wait time, procedure, rest time)

        • Maverick911 on 01/09/2021 - 23:16
          +1

          Yeah if you donate plasma, whole blood much much less time

        • blaz on 03/09/2021 - 11:27

          Yes, it takes time.. and you can donate plasma more frequently than blood. I do plasma donation.

      • Ironh59 on 01/09/2021 - 15:20
        +2

        Where do you get that? I used to go to (pre-lockdown) Sydney Town Hall centre. They give a small pack of juice and there are few cookies/lollies/Bread and toaster in their kitchen.

      • LSGH on 02/09/2021 - 11:35

        we only get biscuits, cheese, water, milk, chocolate in Bris

    • Other on 03/09/2021 - 00:02

      I used to think that way.

      And then someone I knew got sick.

      Then I donated blood.

      It is actually really easy and zero pain - like literally, zero.

      Now every 6 months - Not even hard.

    • juki on 03/09/2021 - 13:42

      same, i wish you could just rock up, also even the vans are pretty sparse

    • Good-Dil on 03/09/2021 - 14:17

      I agree the check-in process is very time consuming. I do donate and have to reserve a few hrs for the whole process and getting back home.

  • freefall101 on 31/08/2021 - 19:11
    +4

    Does it count if it's not mine?

    I didn't do it for a long time because I had spent enough time in various countries that disqualified me. However now I can, but I'm scared of covid. I really should just get off my arse and do it.

    • bemybubble on 31/08/2021 - 19:17
      +8

      However now I can, but I'm scared of covid.

      Ironically most are donating because of Covid as an excuse to get out and about

    • KSMLJ on 31/08/2021 - 21:17
      +3

      Does it count if it's not mine?

      How do you donate blood that's not yours?

      • dizzle on 31/08/2021 - 21:37
        +15

        It's just a matter of keeping the body cool………….

      • Zachary on 01/09/2021 - 14:46
        +1

        Probably killed some guy and sucked out his blood dry or pounced on some sleeping guy and then sucked it all dry and donated it…

        • Mosher on 01/09/2021 - 18:28
          +2

          Only after selling the organs like the heart etc on the black market

    • st1ng on 01/09/2021 - 20:47
      +1

      I used to donate plasma every fortnight, but stopped two months ago due to COVID-19. With over 1,000 cases a day, I want to reduce my contact with the public as much as possible, at least until I am double vaccinated +3 weeks (which will be the end of the month).

  • John Kimble on 31/08/2021 - 19:15

    I did when I was younger, haven't in a while. I think I was around the 10 mark.

    • John Kimble on 31/08/2021 - 20:18
      +9

      I must say most of the time it's been smooth sailing; only been knocked back a few times for various reasons.

      Once they asked if a trainee could try on me and I said sure, he tried a few times and kept missing my vein. Two other people were hovering trying to give him pointers but he got flustered and gave up. They apologised and gave me Hirudoid cream and asked if a non trainee could do my other arm! 😂 Which I said yes to. Took one for the team there suppose, a nervous person may have been put off donating from that experience.

      • pjetson on 31/08/2021 - 21:03
        +1

        I always used to tell them they they get two attempts. If it's not in after the second try, they don't get my blood.

      • bowdo on 03/09/2021 - 20:00

        I feel crook just reading that.

        I'd love to give blood, I just can't handle needles. I've got a fairly high pain tolerance so its not that. I need regular blood samples now, just when I think I've gotten past it I get someone who wiggles around in there too much or takes too long and I just start sliding down the chair. Pretty embarrassing.

  • bobbified on 31/08/2021 - 19:15
    +16

    I would, but they don't want my blood.

    I have been the beneficiary of donated blood though, so am very grateful to those who do donate.

    • bargainy on 31/08/2021 - 21:48
      +1

      Plasma.

      • bobbified on 31/08/2021 - 22:56
        +1

        According to this, it's blood, plasma and platelets!

        The blood transfusion I had was probably a combo of all of them.

      • Mosher on 01/09/2021 - 18:29
        +8

        No I would prefer OLED if you don't mind

        • cydia9k on 02/09/2021 - 09:57
          +1

          I want Micro LED in my veins for some sick RGB action at the rave

    • HumbleCat on 01/09/2021 - 18:39
      -4

      Have you considered a sperm donation?

      Every little thing matters

      • bobbified on 01/09/2021 - 18:42
        +1

        I might consider it depending on the extraction process…..

        • HumbleCat on 01/09/2021 - 18:42
          +1

          Big needle 11 inches!

          DON'T stare directly at it

          • bobbified on 02/09/2021 - 16:57
            +1

            @HumbleCat:

            Big needle 11 inches!

            This actually reminds me of the catheter I had. Having it removed yanked out was the worst feeling! haha

        • Mr Haj on 02/09/2021 - 09:04

          I've seen some videos of the process actually. Those nurses really know what they're doing.

          • bobbified on 02/09/2021 - 09:13

            @Mr Haj:

            I've seen…

            Wait.. "seen" or "experienced"?

            I've never seen it before and I'm sure a lot of others haven't either - please enlighten us! 😆

  • dandosr on 31/08/2021 - 19:15
    +24

    I booked in, travelled to a centre, waited an hour (filled out all the paper work), chatting to the nurse as I was waiting for them to draw blood, mentioned that my iron was at the high side of normal. She stopped everything, said I could no longer donate as I had high iron. I explained that no, I do not have a high iron condition, my doctor simply mentioned that on a blood test it was at the high end but within normal limits. Was kicked out and told I had to get a blood test and letter from the doctor before I could donate - after the 2 hours+ invested there was no way I was wasting any more time. Extremely vital service blood donation, but put me right off.

    • bemybubble on 31/08/2021 - 19:19
      +3

      Sounds like you copped a real doozy. I’ve been to two different blood banks and they are really accomodating. Too accomodating actually…

      Is there another bank nearby?

      • Ironh59 on 01/09/2021 - 15:26
        +1

        It may depend on blood group type. I have a rare type. My haemoglobin was marginally over the lowest limit, but they never refused. Once it was under when I got my normal blood test done. I called them to take me off the list for about a year for it to get in normal range. As soon as 12 months were over, I started getting calls from them to book an appointment.

    • valleyrain on 31/08/2021 - 19:36
      +5

      They test your haemoglobin levels during the brief consultation before you give blood. Did that show anything abnormal? You should have ideally told them earlier during the consultation and not when they are ready to draw blood.

      • dandosr on 31/08/2021 - 20:26
        +1

        Haemoglobin levels tested fine. Nothing was mentioned before hand, nor do I have an actual condition.

    • dmbminaret on 31/08/2021 - 19:45
      +5

      told I had to get a blood test and letter from the doctor before I could donate

      Same here. I merely mentioned that I was going for a blood test later in the week to investigate fatigue so they didn't do the donation as would disrupt the test.

      Then months later, I tried to book online to donate again and couldn't book in. After the second time or third time, I called up and they told me my record shows I have Hemochromatosis and I would need a blood test result and letter to prove I didn't have something they had come up with.

      Maybe one day I'll remember.

    • kaleidoscope on 20/12/2021 - 01:55

      Sorry to hear and I feel for you.
      Lately their service has been very disappointing. It’s very rushed, new or not very experienced staff. It’s like some of the new ones are looking for the simplest of reason to kick you out of the centre or donor seat.

  • bradl822 on 31/08/2021 - 19:19

    Not anymore, I live rural and they hardly ever come. They have no form of pre registering or notification system. It's a shame as I would love to

    • bemybubble on 31/08/2021 - 19:19

      Was it a Mobile blood bank??

      • bradl822 on 31/08/2021 - 19:21

        Yeah previously would come every three months. With covid in pretty sure it stopped.

        • bradl822 on 31/08/2021 - 19:26
          +14

          I take back what I said, they have updated the red Cross website and its heaps better to see future dates. Previously I had to click through a calendar day at a time. It now actually shows the next time it's here.
          Thanks for the prompt with this thread. I just booked in.

          • bemybubble on 31/08/2021 - 19:28

            @bradl822: Yes! Good for you

            Do they feed you in these mobile banks? Byron bay bikkies FTW!

            • bradl822 on 31/08/2021 - 20:32

              @bemybubble: The last time i went was 3 years ago and definitely got a cookie. I don't remember if it was Byron bay though…

    • SimbaGirl on 01/09/2021 - 08:11

      @bradl822 I live rurally as well and unfortunately they don't seem to have a mobile blood bank service at all in Tasmania. I'd like to donate, but don't do too well with blood tests etc, especially if they don't hit the mark on the first attempt. I always warn them that I can be a "fainter"! I'd donate if I could go somewhere local where I didn't have far to travel home, but having to go all the way into the city and then get home from there, especially if I've had a bit of a bad time with it, is something I'm not keen on risking, especially as I have to drive.

  • iridiumstem on 31/08/2021 - 19:20

    I used to. With me visiting my home, and with false positive for malaria (which I did a retest on when I had to do a blood test for a GP, and came out negative), I kinda lost the interest in donating blood since.

    I probably should, but eh, when the COVID dies down a little.

  • bemybubble on 31/08/2021 - 19:24
    +2

    So in my last donation I got notified I was exposed to a tier 2 site. I legitimately thought they would have screened my blood for Covid. Turns out they don’t. Thankfully I called out of caution and they basically said they rely on us to call them and let them know.

    Kind of haunting to know that someone could receive blood with Covid…

    Edit: didn’t have Covid in the end btw.

    • Kangal on 01/09/2021 - 22:44
      +6

      But the real question is, how do you feel about knowing your blood is in someone's boner right now?

    • Craze on 02/09/2021 - 20:02

      Which state are you in?!?

    • diazepam on 02/09/2021 - 20:31

      Surprising they don't screen for COVID IgM levels… they definitely run a load of other serology on your blood although I think only VIRDL do it at the moment.
      I don't think there have been any cases of COVID through blood transmission though so probably not worth testing (it's very expensive)

    • Lord Fart Bucket on 03/09/2021 - 08:05
      +1

      Chance of transmission via blood is very low.

      https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal…

      • bemybubble on 03/09/2021 - 15:03

        Interesting read!

  • dragonos81 on 31/08/2021 - 19:30
    +32

    I'm not allowed to … gay (and have occasionally sex)

    • bemybubble on 31/08/2021 - 19:48

      Just read up on that. Just got to wait 3 months in between sessions isn’t it? (Down from 12 months)

      • MilkDrinker on 31/08/2021 - 20:02
        +40

        That sounds as easy as getting a teenager to never masturbate

      • Platinumtelecom on 31/08/2021 - 21:23
        +1

        Oh I thought I wasn’t allowed either, I am gay and been with my partner for 14 years. Still thought I couldn’t give blood.

        I mean, I had a blood test a couple of days ago and almost passed out, so I am probably not going to give blood anyways 😂

    • mskeggs on 31/08/2021 - 20:12
      +7

      Show off!

    • placard on 01/09/2021 - 10:56
      +18

      Why is this still even a thing? Isn't it discriminatory in that STDs can be in hetero sexual active people also?

      ie gay couple could have exclusive relationship for 10 years but can't donate if had sex recently.

      Hetero person can go wild on tinder then walk in and donate.

      Which is actually more risky??

      • Zondor on 01/09/2021 - 11:21
        +3

        It's because they think gay culture and swinger culture go hand and hand.

        • placard on 01/09/2021 - 11:49
          +2

          It really amazes me that we still have that blood donation rule in given marriage equality and everything else.

          There's just as much sleeping around in the hetero community as well.

          • inasero on 03/09/2021 - 09:34
            +1

            @placard: Statistically, not as much as in the heterosexual community

      • mrvaluepack on 01/09/2021 - 12:45
        +14

        I think its because statistics show unprotected anal sex is the one of the highest transmission methods of HIV.

        • placard on 01/09/2021 - 13:44
          +10

          Yes, but anal sex is not limited to gay people…

          • Drewbo on 01/09/2021 - 14:16
            +40

            @placard: Could you please let my wife know.

            • placard on 01/09/2021 - 16:15
              -4

              @Drewbo: I'm not sure whether this is sarcastic or not? Are you insinuating that anal is only for gays?

              Regardless of anal, STDs are probably just as common in hetero people who have unprotected sex with people they don't know if STD positive as it would be for gay people who do the same.

              Equally there would be gay people who are monogamous long term and are no more risky for donating blood as monogamous hetero couples.

              Frankly, it's galling that this rule/law is still in place, and surprised with the whole marriage equality thing a few years back, that this wasn't changed also.

              • Nicktorious on 04/09/2021 - 23:08

                @placard: That rule irks me every time I donate. I think the wording is specifically with males. If I did the same with my wife no issue. Possibly outdated.

        • sarahlump on 01/09/2021 - 15:52
          +1

          except HIV is present mostly in heterosexual people.
          its got nothing to do with HIV its literally just an archaic policy in place to put people at ease because the dinosaurs making policy assume everybody is like them, and the younger people can look at information and see the dinosaur constituents elect the dinosaurs because they are like them.

          • placard on 01/09/2021 - 16:17
            +1

            @sarahlump: It beggars belief really. To think hetero people aren't banned and could easily donate blood whilst having STD as they don't have to have this same rule. If it's good enough for straight people to donate blood whilst being sexually active (with however many people), then this rule should be changed.

      • sarahlump on 01/09/2021 - 15:51

        its cause we have a govt of homophobic dinosaurs.

        • pformag on 01/09/2021 - 16:35
          +5

          Maybe read the Kirby report, and then you would understand why there is a restriction on gay men.

          https://kirby.unsw.edu.au/report/National-update-hiv-viral-h…

          • placard on 01/09/2021 - 17:02

            @pformag: Can you summarise?

          • iridiumstem on 01/09/2021 - 20:11
            +1

            @pformag: The gist I've gotten from that report is actually different. All the numbers are from the report, from page 6.

            Compared to the estimated HIV prevalency of 0.14%, there is more self-reported HIV prevalency (8.1%) in homosexual/bisexual male. I think the argument would be that because there is more percentage of homosexuals with HIV, there has to be that restriction.

            However, there is a huge hole in that logic, which is, people who know they have HIV are not likely going to donate blood. I think having sex with a partner without informing you are HIV positive is a persecutable offence in some states at least? I'd assume similar thing would happen with donating blood (endangering someone with a virus knowingly).

            I think more important number is how many people are undiagnosed while being HIV positive. Since they could donate blood thinking that they are not HIV positive. I think that tells a different story.

            There were an estimated 2 690 (10%) people living with HIV in Australia in 2018 who were unaware of their HIV status (undiagnosed). The estimated proportion with undiagnosed HIV was higher in people with reported risk exposures of injecting drug use (15%) and heterosexual sex (14%), and lower among men with male‑to‑male sex as their HIV risk exposure (8%). The estimated proportion with undiagnosed HIV was also higher among people born in Southeast Asia (27%), and among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples (12%).

            Of course, it being an estimate does make it difficult to draw a conclusion out of it. That said, I think it does put a question on the policy.

            I am not someone who studies STIs and stats surrounding that, so I might be wrong. I am happy to be corrected.

            That said I will mention this, I feel like having a blanket statement on HIV could be harmful, since it shifts the attention from the actual cause of HIV. Being heterosexual doesn't necessarily protect you from unprotected sex, risky behaviours in bed, etc etc.

            • Other on 03/09/2021 - 00:10

              @iridiumstem:

              Being heterosexual doesn't necessarily protect you from unprotected sex, risky behaviours in bed, etc etc.

              I remember seeing a documentary about a gay couple. They owned a gay spa. One guy was quite normal, even conservative. The other was organising full on multi partner sex romps with randoms (some in the closest, etc). The guy was explaining there is a bigger prevalence in the gay community (its more available, seems more normal, so more people partake)

              Also there is a thing called 'bug chasers'. Obviously the vast, vast majority of people in the gay community wouldn't do this, but if a subset (even a tiny subset) could spread it, well…..

        • iridiumstem on 01/09/2021 - 17:55

          That explains a lot about their efficiency.

          I don't think t-rexes would be able to type fast.

      • cfuse on 01/09/2021 - 22:17
        +8

        The problem here is one that is unpalatable to many: gay men (like myself) are ground zero for STDs. Most of that is down to anal sex, but things like drug use, promiscuity, and other associated behaviours of the cohort are involved in driving the risk up. The odds are that the next novel STD will come out of the gay community.

        We are not trying so much to avoid STDs that we know about in excluding gay men in blood donation, what we are trying to stop is the sequel to HIV. The AIDS epidemic was basically the worst case scenario for a novel blood born illness infecting and taking out a huge chunk of people dependent on blood products. It is better to run low on blood products than it is to potentially kill hundreds of thousands because we weren't being careful enough.

        Now, having said that, I think there's an argument for grading blood products by risk rather than simply cutting down on supply. The reality is that blood products will always be risky, so perhaps we would do well to treat them like the calculated risks they are rather than treating them like a standardised medicine we made in a factory.

        • Other on 03/09/2021 - 00:13

          Like your reasoning & solution.

      • FirstWizard on 02/09/2021 - 11:59
        +1

        UK just changed their policy a couple of months ago. Hopefully, Aus may follow too.

        https://www.blood.co.uk/who-can-give-blood/men-who-have-sex-…

    • Pidapipo on 01/09/2021 - 13:57

      It’s mind boggling that what you mention is even a rule… what???

      Woah it’s real: https://www.lifeblood.com.au/blood/eligibility/sexual-activi…

    • Zachary on 01/09/2021 - 14:53
      -1

      What does gay have to do with donating blood? Blood is blood irrespective if your gay or not.

      • iridiumstem on 01/09/2021 - 15:00
        +4

        It's because if you have sex with another man as a man, they are worried about STIs.
        The whole stereotype of HIV and homosexual men.

        I think it's stupid. Regardless of your sexual orientation, you could be doing something risky in bed.

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